Springfield, Massachusetts

By TravelNE, on January 10th, 2011

Skyline of Springfield, MA

The New England City of Springfield, Massachusetts, has several claims to fame. Situated along the shores of the Connecticut River, Springfield is about 80 miles west of Boston and less than 30 miles north of Hartford, Connecticut. As the largest city in western Massachusetts, Springfield is easily accessible via two major highways, Interstates 90 and 91, and historically ranks as the first city named Springfield in the U.S.

Basketball Hall of Fame

Among Springfield’s most notable moments in history was its role during the Revolutionary War as a major arsenal along the Connecticut River, and its distinction as the birthplace and home of famous children’s author, Theodore Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss. Sports fans also likely know that Springfield is renowned as the birthplace of the game of basketball, and is home to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Visitors to Springfield can enjoy a wide variety of historical and scenic attractions, with something for everyone, ranging from arts and culture, to attractions and activities, museums, and sports events. For instance, in arts and culture, people can visit the Dr. Seuss National Memorial. This tribute to the beloved children’s author includes a National Memorial Sculpture Garden, featuring the familiar Cat in the Hat cast in bronze. Another major cultural distinction is the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, the largest of its kind in Massachusetts, excluding Boston.

For those individuals interested in other attractions, the historical Springfield Armory commemorates the city’s Revolutionary War accomplishments and provides opportunities to view the collection of pistols used during the War. Families with children can enjoy the Zoo in Forest Park, rumored to be the source of inspiration for many Dr. Seuss books.

Springfield also offers not one or two, but five world-class museums. The Smith and Wesson Museum and Factory highlight the firearms history of the nation’s largest handguns manufacturer. Perhaps the most well known Springfield museum, however, is the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, founded in 1959 to celebrate the birth of the game, and to honor its many stars and memorable moments in the decades since that time. Sports enthusiasts who happen to be hockey fans may also enjoy attending a Springfield Falcons game.

Springfield Weather

As in any typical New England region, Springfield’s seasons often change drastically, yielding the usual unpredictable weather. New Englanders often make the statement, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.” Sometimes it is just that sudden. Temperatures during winters in Springfield range between about 15° to 35°F, with snowfall accumulation measuring around 13 inches each month between December to February. Summers are typically humid, particularly in July, with temperatures ranging from about 60° to 85°F, while rainfall peaks slightly higher than the U.S. average at over four inches monthly from summer through fall. An unusual weather fact about Springfield: it has 33% higher tornado activity than the U.S. average!